Atlantic Bonito: season, lures and limits

Showing the fish for South Jersey Shore, NJ.

Fishing region

Season in South Jersey

JFMAMJJASOND

July 2017: bonito trolled on the Manasquan Ridge; bonito inshore in August 2026. Mostly a boat fish here. (Our inference)

Season by region

Long Island	JFMAMJJASOND
North Shore MA	JFMAMJJASOND
Cape Cod	JFMAMJJASOND
Rhode Island	JFMAMJJASOND
Connecticut	JFMAMJJASOND
North Jersey	JFMAMJJASOND
South Jersey	JFMAMJJASOND
Delmarva	JFMAMJJASOND

Where to find them

Mixed with blues in the surf when bait is pinned; mostly reefs and ridges by boat.

Schools that jump while chasing small bait, usually beyond casting range from New York beaches.

What to look for

Fish jumping and slashing through small bait; birds over rainbait.

What to throw

Metal casting jig (diamond, Hopkins or Stingsilver style)1 to 2 oz, 3 to 4 in. Fast steady retrieve for mackerel; let it sink and rip it up for blues; jig near bottom for weakfish.

Epoxy jig3/8 to 1 oz, Small, matched to silversides, bay anchovies and sand eels. Fast steady retrieve through the school.

Silver casting spoon (Clarkspoon or Drone style)1/2 to 1 oz, No. 0 to 1 / 2.5 to 3.5 in. Burn it. Fast, steady, just under the surface.

Swimming minnow plug (Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow style)3/4 to 1 oz, 4 to 5 in. Steady medium retrieve with occasional twitches and pauses.

Leader

Common mistakes

Lures too large for the micro bait they are eating
Casting into the middle of a moving school instead of ahead of it

Landing

Net or lift by the tail; they fight hard to the end.

Handling

Sharp small teeth
Treble hooks on jigs while it thrashes

Use pliers to unhook.

Keep or release

Good eating fresh; bleed and ice. Check state rules.

Recipes for atlantic bonito

Typical: 2 to 4 lb close to shore (Rhode Island and Massachusetts, 2024). Large: Over 10 lb. NY record 13.45 lb (2020).

Limits

FishOS has not checked the NJ limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the New Jersey Fish and Wildlife before you keep a fish.

Sources

On The Water: South Jersey Fishing Report, July 27 2017 (Riptide, Fin-Atics, Tony's, Creekside) (Angler knowledge)
On The Water: Southern New Jersey Fishing Report, August 13 2026 (Angler knowledge)
The Fisherman: Too Warm, Or Too Cold? Species' Preferred Temperature Ranges (Aguiar, 2023) (Angler knowledge)
On The Water: The Epic Bonito Run of 2024 (Fee, 2025) (Angler knowledge)
On The Water: Long Island and New York Fishing Report, August 13, 2020 (Angler knowledge)
Bigelow and Schroeder, Fishes of the Gulf of Maine (online text): Atlantic bonito (Official source)
NYSDEC Marine Recreational Angler Records Program (Official source)

All the fish of South Jersey

Atlantic Bonito